So You’re Ready to Start your Catering Business?

So You’re Ready to Start your Catering Business?

Food has always been a huge part of your life. You love to cook and you love thrilling others with your amazing meals. From appetizers and entrees to dainty desserts and more, you know how to make mouths water and you certainly know your way around a kitchen. Now it’s time to take your life’s passion and turn it into a business…a catering business.

There’s a lot to think about during the whole process of getting your business started. You’ll need to consider a central location for doing all the cooking. You’ll want to figure out the best way to advertise. You’ll have to hire staff of all kinds to help you, from financial experts to waitstaff and maybe even additional chefs.

Of course, you’ll also require the proper equipment for your business. Whether you’re starting small or jumping in with both feet, you’ll need to purchase an abundance of items to make your business run smoothly, from kitchen utensils to serving essentials that will please your customers.

That’s just a short list of the things you’ll need to put on your list of must-haves. But how do you decide what to buy and where to buy it? What constitutes the right items for catering?

Durability is certainly one of the considerations when purchasing catering equipment. Your items will need to be long-lasting, especially when you’re just starting out and your budget is pretty small. So look for items made of high-quality materials that are still affordable.

Also look for items that might break up the monotony a bit. For example, instead of using stainless rays or the aforementioned melamine for all your serving needs, consider items such as baskets for some of the items you regularly include in your menu, like homemade rolls or other bakery items. They spruce up a table and the ones made of wood or plastic last a long time as well.

If you don’t have any idea where to start, begin by contacting a shop fitter. A shop fitting company doesn’t only design shops, restaurants, or other retail establishments. They can also help you get your catering venture off the ground by providing you with recommendations for all the equipment you need.

Along with your shop fitting professional, take some time to browse catalogs offering catering items and shop showrooms that have these pieces on display.

Remember, a good shop fitter has a diverse knowledge of all kinds of businesses. Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations from him or her about well-made items but be clear about your budget. Sit down and discuss your goals and consider several options before you make your final decisions.

And before you know it, people will be bragging about your delicious food!